BARISAN Nasional (BN) has successfully defended the Ayer Kuning state seat in a closely contested by-election, which leaders from the Unity Government say reflects voters’ support for national stability and cooperation. Perikatan Nasional (PN), while acknowledging the result, claimed that the ruling coalition is gradually losing public confidence.
BN candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, also known as Ustaz Yusri and Tapah UMNO secretary, secured 11,065 votes to win the three-cornered race. He defeated Abd Muhaimin Malek of Perikatan Nasional (PN), who received 6,059 votes, and Bawani KS of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), who garnered 1,106 votes.
The result handed BN a 5,006-vote majority—more than double the 2,213-vote margin achieved by the late Ishsam Shahruddin in the 2022 general election.
Perak BN chairman and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the result was a clear rejection of divisive political rhetoric and a strong endorsement of the Unity Government’s approach.
“The people of Ayer Kuning have chosen to reject politics of slander and division, instead prioritising unity and harmony for a better future,” he said after the announcement at Dewan Merdeka on Saturday night.
“Alhamdulillah, Allah SWT has granted victory to the BN candidate representing the Unity Government tonight. They (the voters) have accepted our message and our appeal (for their votes). Let us continue to foster this love and unity.”
He praised the cooperation between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) during the campaign, crediting their joint efforts for the successful outcome.
UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki described the result as further proof of public trust in BN, following earlier by-election wins in Nenggiri (Kelantan) and Mahkota (Johor).
“This victory proves that the people reject politics based on hatred, hostility, insults and extreme racial sentiments,” he said.
UMNO Information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the result reflected the public’s recognition of the government’s development agenda.
“It is also clear evidence that the people continue to place their trust in BN to carry on the development agenda and leadership continuity pioneered by the late Ishsam Shahruddin,” she said.
“I am confident that Dr Mohamad Yusri will fulfil this trust with utmost dedication and responsibility.”
Leaders from DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) also welcomed the result. DAP’s National Political Education director Howard Lee Chuan How described the outcome as validation of the Unity Government’s cooperative strategy.
“This victory highlights that in the future, any form of cooperation in administration or elections will be based on this (formula) to defeat anything that stands against the unity of the people in Malaysia,” he said.
Perak Amanah chairman Datuk Asmuni Awi added that the result showed the public had turned away from political coalitions relying on racial sentiment.
In response, PN Perak accepted the outcome but insisted the figures told a different story. PN Perak chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu noted that while the coalition did not win, the drop in voter turnout—down by 20 per cent—was a sign of declining enthusiasm for the BN-PH alliance.
“Although the voter turnout in this by-election dropped by 20 per cent, support for PN remains strong,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“On the contrary, the result of this by-election proves that the BN-PH alliance is gradually losing the people’s trust, as their share of votes has declined.
“Even though victory has not yet been achieved, PN remains committed to continuing to defend and fight for the people with even greater determination.”
Ahmad Faizal added that PN was confident a larger political shift was on the horizon, driven by growing grassroots support.
The by-election was triggered by the passing of Ishsam Shahruddin, 59, the then-incumbent assemblyman and Tapah UMNO chief, on February 22. Ishsam had secured the Ayer Kuning seat in the 15th General Election in November 2022 in a five-cornered contest. - April 27, 2025
